It’s back! The biggest Nativity in Britain returns to Bishop Auckland... and this time Auckland Palace will look more festive than ever.
Immerse Yourself in Festive Splendour
SCAN HERE Book now:
Christmas at Auckland Palace
Friday 21 November – Wednesday 31 December, excluding Christmas Day. *Closed Mondays and Tuesdays (Open 22 & 23 December).
10.30am - 4pm
Auckland Palace - Bishop Auckland DL14 7NR
Immerse yourself in unrivalled festive splendour when you visit Auckland Palace’s very special Christmas event. With 12 rooms sumptuously decorated, including the State Rooms, St Peter’s Chapel and the Private Apartments, Christmas at Auckland Palace enables visitors to enjoy the remarkable interiors, complete with stunning artworks and furnishings, transformed with a touch of Christmas magic.
Free access with our Bishop’s Key annual pass. Christmas at Auckland Palace tickets are also available online for non-pass holders and cost £20 for adults, £6 for children and £49
2 Adults and 2 Children (ages 5 - 15) for families
The
Auckland Palace Nativity
Friday 21 November – Wednesday 31 December, excluding Christmas Day. *Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
10.30am - 4pm
By popular demand, the biggest Nativity scene of its kind in the UK is back in Bishop Auckland. Young and old will be astonished by over 421 intricately carved figures in this stunning 18th century Neapolitan treasure. This incredible Baroque presepe, known in Italian as a presepe, is a giant Nativity scene staged in a true-life Neapolitan setting. Measuring a remarkable 11ft tall and 15ft wide, it is one of the most impressive and important examples outside Italy.
Included with a Christmas at Auckland Palace ticket or Bishop’s Key. Book now: aucklandproject.org/christmas
Eat, Drink & Be Merry
The Bishop’s Kitchen
The Bishop’s Kitchen sits at the heart of Auckland Palace, offering a warm welcome and a delicious range of tempting treats. Our team serve a selection of soups, sandwiches, artisan pies and cakes, and you’ll be able to choose to eat in the beautifully refurbished medieval kitchen, or in our courtyard garden.
Bishop's Kitchen New Festive Menu
Make your visit to Christmas at Auckland Palace and AGLOW deliciously complete with our new Festive Menu, designed to pair perfectly with your day out. Linger over a Festive Afternoon Tea (served 12–3pm) with classic sandwiches—turkey & stuffing, cheese & pickle, and a mini prawn cocktail—plus warm festive scones and indulgent sweet bites (upgrade to High Tea with Prosecco).
El Castillo
Savour Spanish warmth this season with comforting tapas and rustic breads. Settle into our cosy dining room.
El Castillo New Festive Menu
Complete your Christmas experience at Auckland Palace and AGLOW with the rich flavours of our new Festive Menu. Share Cordero Asado—our winter-warming, Spanish-spiced roast lamb with festive trimmings—or choose Lomo de Bacalao, a silky confit cod perfect for a celebratory feast. Prefer plants? Calabaza Asada brings hearty roasted squash with seasonal tapas. Raise a glass with a Spanish wine pairing. And not forgetting the little ones: the Niños Tapas Tower lets kids build their own feast— choose one hero and two tapas, like bravas, croquettes, calamari or mini paella.
Wednesday 10:30am - 5:00pm last orders at 4pm
Thursday / Friday / Saturday 10:30am - 10:00pm last orders at 9pm Sunday 10:30am - 5:00pm last orders at 4pm
Friday 21 November – Wednesday 31 December
4.30pm, 5pm, 5.30pm, 6pm, 6.30pm, 7pm, 7.30pm
*We recommend allowing 1.5 hours to complete the trail. AGLOW at Auckland Palace will close at 9pm, with last entry at 7:30pm.
Our dazzling light trail AGLOW will illuminate the skies of Bishop Auckland once again this Christmas. Begin your journey at Auckland Palace and embark on a glittering 1.5-mile trail through Auckland Palace’s gardens and grounds, with surprises around every corner. AGLOW is a must-see experience for all the family, with 25 incredible light installations, Santa’s Village, festive food and warming drinks, plus new illuminations for 2025. Tickets are available from aucklandaglow.org
at Auckland Palace
An illuminated Christmas light trail
21 NOVEMBER – 31 DECEMBER
OFF-PEAK: £20 adult, £13.50 child, £60 family (Children 4 and under and Carers free)
PEAK: £22.50 adult, £15.50 child, £68.50 family (Children 4 and under and Carers free)
To keep you warm and cosy, you’ll find a delicious array of independent food stalls, serving everything from mulled wine and hot chocolate to tempting seasonal treats. And for younger visitors, the magic continues as Santa Claus himself will be making a special stop at AGLOW, along with his team of merry elves! Be sure to visit Santa’s workshop, where little ones can enjoy a show, so make sure you’re on your best behaviour…
SEASONAL SAVINGS
SAVE this Christmas with a Festive Ticket package which includes AGLOW and Christmas at Auckland Palace: £36 adult, £18 child, £105 family (two adults and two children under 16)
Enjoy AGLOW your way!
Our popular sensory-friendly sessions are back—check the website for dates. We also offer an Accessible Route (£5) so less-nimble family members can share the magic together.
Please note: the natural Deer Park terrain means the full trail isn’t suitable for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility.
Light Trail
DISPLAYS
Light Portals
Christmas Treats
Interactive Light o’ Mine
Mirrorball Trees
Lava Wall
Park Head Hotel
Park Head Hotel is ideally located at the heart of County Durham, just minutes from the cultural hub of Bishop Auckland and within easy reach of Durham City.
Winter Warmer Deal
Midweek & Weekend Getaway Offer –
2-Night Stay for Two Adults from £229
Looking for a relaxing UK short break?
Enjoy our exclusive 2-night hotel package for two adults, including:
• Two nights’ bed and breakfast
• One three-course evening meal (up to £60 value)
• Stay in a stylish double room (room upgrades available)
Special Rates:
£229.00 – Valid for stays Sunday to Thursday
£269.00 – For weekend stays (Friday & Saturday)
*Pricing based on 2 sharing a double or twin room. Upgrades available to king and super king size guest rooms – this can be booked by calling 01388 661727 or through online booking via our website.
parkheadhotel.co.uk
Auckland Palace Stays
Where comfort meets Christmas magic
Make your festive visit effortless with a cosy base in our character-filled cottages— designed for easy living, quiet retreats and family adventures. Step out to sparkle: Christmas at Auckland Palace and the AGLOW light trail are on the doorstep, with Bishop Auckland’s stories, streets and secret corners waiting to be explored.
Settle into individually styled homes, then wander to our gardens, galleries and green spaces—Walled Garden, Deer Park, Palace, Faith Museum, Spanish Gallery and Mining Art Gallery—all just a short stroll away. Stays become stories here.
FESTIVE PERKS
Exclusive treats: Enjoy 10% off at El Castillo and food at Park Head Hotel, plus 10% off at the Auckland Tower Gift Shop.
Paws welcome: Bring up to two dogs (£30 each for your whole stay) with a bag of treats on arrival.
Hassle-free parking: Free private on-street parking, with EV charging at nearby North Bondgate Car Park.
Unwrap the season in style—book your stay and let the lights lead the way.
